THE FATE OF DEFEATED ALPHA-MALE CHIMPANZEES IN RELATION TO THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKS

Usurpation of alpha status by males is a relatively rare event among w ild chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains National Park, western Tanzani a, where long-term field studies have been carried out since 1965. Her e we report three such cases and compare the fate of those defeated al pha males. The formation of effective alliances with other adult males is considered to be crucial in determining what will happen to the de feated alpha male in the rank order after the loss of his status.